Camera body and imaging device equipped with same

ABSTRACT

A camera body includes a body mount, an imaging element, an imaging element circuit board, a main circuit board, and a metal heat radiating plate. The body mount allows the lens unit to be mounted. The imaging element is disposed on the opposite side of the body mount from the side where the lens unit is mounted, and converts an optical image of the subject into image data. The imaging element circuit board is electrically connected to the imaging element and controls the imaging element. The main circuit board is disposed on the opposite side of the imaging element from the body mount, and includes a camera controller. The heat radiating plate is disposed between the imaging element and the main circuit board.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.2008-233192 filed on Sep. 11, 2008. The entire disclosure of JapanesePatent Applications No. 2008-233192 is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The technical field relates to a camera body to which a lens unit can bemounted, and to an imaging device equipped with this camera body.

2. Description of the Related Art

Interchangeable lens digital cameras are an example of a known imagingdevice. The camera discussed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application2007-127836, for example, includes a lens unit and a camera body. Thiscamera body has an imaging element such as a CCD (charge coupled device)image sensor, and a mirror box device disposed between the lens unit andthe imaging element. The mirror box device guides the light that haspassed through the lens unit to either a CCD image sensor or a prism.The light guided to the prism is guided by the prism to a viewfinder.

SUMMARY

There has long been a need for smaller imaging devices, and withinterchangeable lens digital cameras, there is a need to reduce the sizeof the camera body.

When the camera body is made smaller, however, this reduces the spacesurrounding the electronic parts, such as an imaging element unit thatincludes an imaging element and an imaging element circuit board thatcontrols the imaging element, or the main circuit board on which thecamera controller is mounted, which means that these electronic partsare packed together more densely.

Meanwhile, as image quality rises, the imaging element and the cameracontroller consume a greater amount of electrical power, so theseelectrical parts generate more heat. In particular, when a large amountof heat is generated by the imaging element, heat is transferred fromthe imaging element to electronic parts such as the main circuit boardon which the camera controller is mounted, and it is possible that theheat will damage the electronic parts.

With the camera controller and imaging element described below, heatdamage to electronic parts can be prevented.

A camera body according to a first aspect is a device to which can bemounted a lens unit that forms an optical image of a subject, comprisinga body mount, an imaging element, an imaging element circuit board, amain circuit board, and a metal heat radiating plate. The body mountallows the lens unit to be mounted. The imaging element is disposed onthe opposite side of the body mount from the side where the lens unit ismounted, and converts an optical image of the subject into image data.The imaging element circuit board is electrically connected to theimaging element and controls the imaging element. The main circuit boardis disposed on the opposite side of the imaging element from the bodymount, and includes a camera controller. The heat radiating plate isdisposed between the imaging element and the main circuit board.

With this camera body, even if heat is generated by the imaging element,since the amount of heat transferred from the imaging element to themain circuit board is reduced by the heat radiating plate, an increasein the temperature of the main circuit board can be suppressed. Thisprevents heat damage to electronic parts.

An imaging device according to a second aspect is an imaging device foracquiring an image of a subject, comprising a lens unit for forming anoptical image of the subject, and the camera body according to the firstaspect, to which the lens unit can be mounted.

In this case, since the imaging device comprises the camera bodyaccording to the first aspect, heat damage to electronic parts can beprevented.

As discussed above, with the above-mentioned camera body and imagingdevice, heat damage to electronic parts can be prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a digital camera 1;

FIG. 2 is an oblique view of a camera body 100;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the digital camera 1;

FIG. 4 is a simplified cross section of the digital camera 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the digital camera 1;

FIG. 6A is a simplified cross section of a single lens reflex camera800, and FIG. 6B is a simplified cross section of the digital camera 1;

FIGS. 7A to 7C are simplified diagrams illustrating a heat radiatingstructure;

FIGS. 8A to 8F are diagrams showing a comparison of the temperaturedistributions of different heat radiating structures;

FIG. 9 is a simplified cross section of a camera body 400;

FIG. 10 is a simplified cross section of a camera body 500; and

FIG. 11 is a simplified cross section of a digital camera in a referenceexample.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to thedrawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments areprovided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting theinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

First Embodiment 1-1: Overview of Digital Camera

FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a digital camera 1 according to a firstembodiment. FIG. 2 is an oblique view of a camera body 100. FIG. 3 is afunction block diagram of the digital camera 1.

The digital camera 1 is an interchangeable lens digital camera, andincludes the camera body 100 and a lens unit 200 that can be mounted tothe camera body 100.

Unlike a single lens reflex camera, the camera body 100 does not have amirror box device, so the flange back is smaller than with a single lensreflex camera. Also, reducing the size of the flange back makes thecamera body 100 smaller. Furthermore, reducing the size of the flangeback affords greater latitude in the design of the optical system, sothe lens unit 200 can be smaller. The various components will now bedescribed in detail.

For the sake of this description, the subject side of the digital camera1 will also be called the front, the vertical upper side will also becalled the upper side or above, and the vertical lower side will also becalled the lower side or below, when the digital camera 1 is in itsusual orientation (hereinafter referred to as landscape orientation).

The landscape orientation referred to here is a state in which thebottom face 101 a of the camera body 100 is on the vertical lower sideof a CMOS image sensor 110 (discussed below), and the bottom face 101 ais perpendicular to the vertical direction. In this embodiment, as shownin FIG. 5, of the faces that make up the housing 101 (discussed below)of the camera body 100, the face on which a tripod attachment unit 155(discussed below) is provided is termed the bottom face 101 a of thecamera body 100.

1-2: Configuration of Camera Body

FIG. 4 is a simplified cross section of the digital camera 1. FIG. 5 isa rear view of the digital camera 1. The camera body 100 mainly includesthe CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) image sensor 110, aCMOS circuit board 113, a camera monitor 120, controls 130, a maincircuit board 142 that includes a camera controller 140, a body mount150, a power supply 160, a card slot 170, an electronic viewfinder 180,a shutter unit 190, an optical low-pass filter 114, a diaphragm 115, amain frame 154, the tripod attachment unit 155, a heat radiating member198, and the housing 101.

The body mount 150, the shutter unit 190, the diaphragm 115, the opticallow-pass filter 114, the CMOS image sensor 110, the CMOS circuit board113, the heat radiating plate 195, the main circuit board 142, and thecamera monitor 120 are disposed in that order, starting from the front,in the camera body 100. Also, the main frame 154 is disposed at alocation that overlaps the body mount 150 in a direction parallel to theoptical axis AX (hereinafter also referred to as the optical axisdirection).

The CMOS image sensor 110 (an example of the imaging element) convertsan optical image of a subject (hereinafter also referred to as a subjectimage) incident through the lens unit 200 into image data. The imagedata thus produced is digitized by an A/D converter 111 of the CMOScircuit board 113. The image data digitized by the A/D converter 111 issubjected to various image processing by the camera controller 140. The“various image processing” referred to here includes gamma correctionprocessing, white balance correction processing, scratch correctionprocessing, YC conversion processing, electronic zoom processing, andJPEG compression processing, for example.

As shown in FIG. 7C, the CMOS image sensor 110 has a light receivingface 110 a that receives light passing through the lens unit 200. Inthis embodiment, the light receiving face 110 a of the CMOS image sensor110 is oblong in shape, and has a pair of long sides 110 b and a pair ofshort sides 110 c. In a state in which the light receiving face 110 a isperpendicular to the horizontal direction and the long sides 110 b arehorizontal, the digital camera 1 is in its landscape orientation. On theother hand, in a state in which the light receiving face 110 a isperpendicular to the horizontal direction and the short sides 110 c arehorizontal, the digital camera 1 is in its portrait orientation.

The CMOS image sensor 110 operates on the basis of a timing signalproduced by a timing generator 112 of the CMOS circuit board 113. TheCMOS image sensor 110 can acquire still image data and moving image databy controlling the CMOS circuit board 113. The acquired moving imagedata is also used for displaying through images. Still image data andmoving image data are examples of image data.

The term “through image” here refers to those images, out of the movingimage data, that are not recorded to a memory card 171. Through imagesare mainly moving images, and are displayed on the camera monitor 120and the electronic viewfinder 180 (hereinafter also referred to as EVF)in order to determine the composition of moving or still images.

The CMOS image sensor 110 is able to acquire high-resolution movingimages used for recording, and to acquire low-resolution moving imagesused as through images. An example of a high-resolution moving image isa moving image in HD size (high definition size: 1920×1080 pixels). TheCMOS image sensor 110 is an example of an imaging element that convertsan optical image of a subject into an electrical image signal. Theconcept of imaging element here encompasses CCD image sensors and othersuch opto-electric conversion elements in addition to the CMOS imagesensor 110.

The CMOS circuit board 113 (an example of an imaging element circuitboard) is a circuit board that controls the CMOS image sensor 110. TheCMOS circuit board 113 is a circuit board that subjects the image dataoutputted from the CMOS image sensor 110 to specific processing, andincludes the timing generator 112 and the A/D converter 111. The CMOScircuit board 113 is an example of an imaging element circuit board thatcontrols the drive of the imaging element and subjects the image dataoutputted from the imaging element to specific processing such as A/Dconversion.

The camera monitor 120 is a liquid crystal display, for example, anddisplays the image indicated by the display-use image data, for example.The display-use image data is produced by the camera controller 140.This display-use image data is, for example, image data that hasundergone image processing, or data for displaying the photographyconditions, control menus, and so forth of the digital camera 1. Thecamera monitor 120 is able to selectively display both still images andmoving images.

The camera monitor 120 is provided to the camera body 100. In thisembodiment, it is disposed on the rear face of the camera body 100, butthe camera monitor 120 may be disposed anywhere on the camera body 100.The angle between the display screen of the camera monitor 120 and thecamera body 100 is variable. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, thecamera body 100 has a hinge 121 that links the camera monitor 120rotatably with respect to the housing 101. The hinge 121 is disposed onthe left end of the housing 101. In more specific terms, the hinge 121has a first hinge and a second hinge. The camera monitor 120 is able torotate around the first hinge to the left and right with respect to thehousing 101, and is able to rotate around the second hinge up and downwith respect to the housing 101.

The camera monitor 120 is an example of the display unit provided to thecamera body 100. The display unit can also be an organic EL, aninorganic EL, a plasma display panel, or anything else that can displayimages. Also, the display unit need not be provided to the rear face ofthe camera body 100, may instead be on a side face, the upper face, orsomewhere else.

The electronic viewfinder 180 displays the image indicated by thedisplay-use image data produced by the camera controller 140, forexample. The EVF 180 is able to selectively display both still imagesand moving images. The EVF 180 and the camera monitor 120 may bothdisplay the same content, or may display different content. These arecontrolled by the camera controller 140. The EVF 180 has an EVF-useliquid crystal monitor 181 that displays images and the like, an EVF-useoptical system 182 that enlarges the display of the EVF-use liquidcrystal monitor 181, and an eyepiece 183 to which the user positions aneye.

The EVF 180 is also an example of a display unit. It differs from thecamera monitor 120 in that the user positions an eye to look through it.The difference in terms of structure is that whereas the EVF 180 has theeyepiece 183, the camera monitor 120 does not have the eyepiece 183.

The proper display brightness is ensured with the EVF-use liquid crystalmonitor 181 by providing a back light (not shown) in the case of atransmissive liquid crystal, and providing a front light (not shown) inthe case of a reflective liquid crystal. The EVF-use liquid crystalmonitor 181 is an example of an EVF-use monitor. This EVF-use monitorcan be an organic EL, an inorganic EL, a plasma display panel, oranything else that can display images. In the case of a self-emittingdevice such as an organic EL, there is no need for an illumination lightsource.

The controls 130 are operated by the user. More specifically, as shownin FIGS. 1 and 2, the controls 130 include a release button 131 that theuser presses to release the shutter, and a power switch 132, which is arotary dial switch provided to the upper face of the camera body 100.The power switch 132 turns off the power at the first rotation position,and turns on the power at the second rotation position. The controls 130may be in the form of buttons, levers, dials, a touch panel, or anythingelse that the user can operate.

The camera controller 140 is a device serving as the functional centerof the camera body 100, and controls the various components of thecamera body 100. For instance, the camera controller 140 controls theshutter unit 190 so that it is kept open when the power from the powersupply 160 is shut off. The camera controller 140 also receives commandsfrom the controls 130. The camera controller 140 sends signals forcontrolling the lens unit 200 through the body mount 150 and a lensmount 250 to a lens controller 240, and indirectly controls the variouscomponents of the lens unit 200. Specifically, the camera controller 140controls the entire digital camera 1.

The camera controller 140 controls the CMOS circuit board 113. Morespecifically, the camera controller 140 sends a control signal to theCMOS circuit board 113, and the CMOS circuit board 113 controls the CMOSimage sensor 110 on the basis of the received control signal. The cameracontroller 140 also acquires image data that is produced by the 110 andhas undergone specific processing such as A/D conversion by the CMOScircuit board 113, and performs further processing. For example, Thecamera controller 140 produces display-use image data or recording-useimage data from image data that has been processed by the CMOS circuitboard 113.

The camera controller 140 also receives various signals from the lenscontroller 240 via the body mount 150 and the lens mount 250. The cameracontroller 140 uses a DRAM 141 as a working memory during controloperations and image processing operations. The camera controller 140 isdisposed on the main circuit board 142.

The card slot 170 allows the memory card 171 to be mounted. The cardslot 170 controls the memory card 171 on the basis of a control signalsent from the camera controller 140. More specifically, the card slot170 stores image data in the memory card 171. The card slot 170 outputsimage data from the memory card 171. The card slot 170 also storesmoving image data in the memory card 171. The card slot 170 outputsmoving image data from the memory card 171.

The memory card 171 can store image data produced by image processing bythe camera controller 140. For example, the memory card 171 can storecompressed JPEG image files, or uncompressed raw image files. The memorycard 171 also can output image data or image files stored ahead of time,via the card slot 170. The image data or image files outputted from thememory card 171 are subjected to image processing by the cameracontroller 140. For example, the camera controller 140 subjects theimage data or image file acquired from the memory card 171 to expansionprocessing and produces display-use image data.

The memory card 171 is also able to store moving image data produced byimage processing by the camera controller 140. For example, the memorycard 171 can store a moving image file compressed according toH.264/AVC, which is a moving image compression standard. The memory card171 can also output, via the card slot 170, moving image data or movingimage files stored ahead of time. The moving image data or moving imagefiles outputted from the memory card 171 are subjected to imageprocessing by the camera controller 140. For example, the cameracontroller 140 subjects the moving image data or moving image fileacquired from the memory card 171 to expansion processing and producesdisplay-use moving image data.

The memory card 171 is also an example of a memory unit. The memory unitmay be one that can be mounted to the camera body 100, such as thememory card 171, or may be one that is fixed to the digital camera 1.

The power supply 160 supplies the various components with electricalpower for use by the digital camera 1. The power supply 160 may, forexample, be a dry cell, or may be a rechargeable cell. The power supply160 also may be a unit that receives a supply of power from an externalpower supply via a power cord or the like, and supplies this power tothe digital camera 1.

The body mount 150 has a body mount ring 151 and an electrical contact153. The body mount ring 151 mechanically supports the lens unit 200 bymating with a lens mount ring 251. More specifically, the lens mountring 251 can be inserted in the body mount ring 151, and once insertedin the body mount ring 151, the lens mount ring 251 is able to rotatewith respect to the body mount ring 151.

The lens mount ring 251 is inserted into the body mount ring 151, andthe lens mount ring 251 is then rotated with respect to the body mountring 151 until the two mate. When the body mount ring 151 is mated withthe lens mount ring 251, the body mount ring 151 mechanically supportsthe lens unit 200.

The body mount ring 151 needs a certain amount of strength to supportthe lens mount ring 251, so the body mount ring 151 is preferably formedfrom metal. In this embodiment, the body mount ring 151 is formed frommetal.

The body mount 150 is supported on the main frame 154 via a body mountcontact support 152 (an example of the intermediate part). The bodymount contact support 152 is an example of the intermediate partdisposed along the thermal conduction path from the CMOS image sensor110 to the main frame 154. The body mount contact support 152 isconnected to the body mount ring 151 and supports the body mount ring151. The body mount contact support 152 is supported by the main frame154 and is disposed between the body mount ring 151 and the shutter unit190. Also, the body mount contact support 152 has an opening, and theinside diameter of this opening is smaller than the inside diameter ofthe body mount ring 151.

In a state in which the lens unit 200 has been mounted to the camerabody 100, the electrical contact 153 is in contact with an electricalcontact 253 had by the lens mount 250. Thus, the body mount 150 and thelens mount 250 can be electrically connected via the electrical contact153 of the body mount 150 and the electrical contact 253 of the lensmount 250. Therefore, the camera body 100 sends and receives data and/orcontrol signals to and from the lens unit 200 via the body mount 150 andthe lens mount 250. More specifically, the body mount 150 and the lensmount 250 send and receive data and/or control signals to and from thelens controller 240 included in the lens unit 200 and the cameracontroller 140. Also, the body mount 150 supplies the power receivedfrom the power supply 160 to the entire lens unit 200 via the lens mount250.

The shutter unit 190 (an example of an intermediate part) is what isknown as a focal plane shutter. The shutter unit 190 is disposed betweenthe body mount 150 and the CMOS image sensor 110. The shutter unit 190has a rear curtain, a front curtain, and a shutter support frame. Theshutter support frame has an opening. The front curtain and rear curtainmove in and out of the opening, thereby guiding light through theopening to the CMOS image sensor 110, or blocking light to the CMOSimage sensor 110. The shutter unit 190 is able to maintain an open statemechanically. This mechanical maintenance is a concept whereby an openstate is maintained without the use of electrical force. For example,this mechanical maintenance may involve engaging two objects, or mayinvolve supporting them with a permanent magnet.

The optical low-pass filter 114 removes the high-frequency component ofthe subject light. More specifically, the optical low-pass filter 114separates a subject image formed by the lens unit 200 so that theresolution is coarser than the pitch of the pixels of the CMOS imagesensor 110. In general, the CMOS image sensor 110 or other imagingelement has an RGB color filter called a Bayer pattern, or a YCMcomplementary color filter, provided for each pixel. Therefore, if theresolution goes to one pixel, not only will a false color be generated,but if the subject is a repeating pattern, an unattractive moire willresult. Furthermore, the optical low-pass filter 114 has an Ir cutfilter function for cutting out infrared light.

The diaphragm 115 is disposed in front of the CMOS image sensor 110, issupported by a diaphragm support 116 (an example of an intermediatepart), and prevents dust from clinging to the CMOS image sensor 110.Also, any dust clinging to the diaphragm 115 itself is knocked off bythe vibration of the diaphragm 115. More specifically, the diaphragm 115is configured such that a thin, transparent sheet-like member is fixedto yet another member constituting the diaphragm 115 via a piezoelectricelement. AC voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element, whichcauses the piezoelectric element to vibrate, and this vibrates thesheet-like member. The diaphragm 115 is supported by the diaphragmsupport 116 so as to be disposed in a specific position with respect tothe CMOS image sensor 110. The diaphragm support 116 is supported on themain frame 154 via the body mount 150 and the shutter unit 190.

The main frame 154 is disposed along the lower face from the front faceinside the camera body. The main frame 154 is connected to the bodymount contact support 152 of the body mount 150, and supports the lensunit 200 via the body mount 150. Accordingly, the main frame 154 needsto have a certain amount of strength. Therefore, the main frame 154 ispreferably formed from a metal. In this embodiment, the main frame 154is formed from metal.

The tripod attachment unit 155 has a threaded hole for attaching atripod, and is connected to the main frame 154. The threaded hole isexposed on the lower face of the camera body 100. The tripod attachmentunit 155 supports the camera body 100 in a state in which it is attachedto a tripod, so the tripod attachment unit 155 needs to have a certainamount of strength. Therefore, in this embodiment the tripod attachmentunit 155 is formed from metal.

The heat radiating member 198 promotes the radiation of heat generatedby the CMOS image sensor 110, and has a heat radiating plate 195 and athermal conductor 196. The heat radiating effect will be better if ametal such as aluminum or copper is used as the material of the heatradiating member 198.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the heat radiating plate 195 is arectangular plate and is disposed between the CMOS image sensor 110 andthe main circuit board 142. More specifically, the heat radiating plate195 is disposed between the CMOS circuit board 113 and the main circuitboard 142. When viewed in the optical axis direction, the external sizeof the heat radiating plate 195 is larger than the CMOS image sensor 110and the CMOS circuit board 113.

The thermal conductor 196 is formed integrally with the heat radiatingplate 195, for example, and is disposed opposite the CMOS image sensor110 by a gap in the direction along the light receiving face 110 a. Morespecifically, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the thermal conductor 196 hasa first plate 196 a, a second plate 196 b, a third plate 196 c, and afourth plate 196 d.

The first plate 196 a is disposed on the upper side of the CMOS imagesensor 110 by a gap (see FIG. 4). The second plate 196 b is disposed tothe side of the CMOS image sensor 110 (the left side when viewed fromthe front) by a gap. The third plate 196 c is disposed to the side ofthe CMOS image sensor 110 (the right side when viewed from the front) bya gap. The fourth plate 196 d is disposed on the lower side of the CMOSimage sensor 110 by a gap (see FIG. 4).

The first to fourth plates 196 a to 196 d link the heat radiating plate195 to the diaphragm support 116. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4,the first to fourth plates 196 a to 196 d are fixed to the diaphragmsupport 116 and extend from the diaphragm support 116 to the oppositeside from the body mount 150. Furthermore, the first to fourth plates196 a to 196 d extend from the heat radiating plate 195 to the oppositeside from the main circuit board 142.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, gaps are maintained between the first tofourth plates 196 a to 196 d, and the spaces inside and outside the heatradiating member 198 are linked via these gaps.

The housing 101 is a member that forms the outer face of the camera body100, and houses in its interior the constituent parts of the camera body100, such as the CMOS image sensor 110 and the main circuit board 142.The release button 131 and other such parts are disposed on the surfaceof the housing 101, and the main frame 154 is fixed on the inside of thehousing 101. The body mount 150 is also fixed to the housing 101.

1-3: Configuration of Lens Unit

The lens unit 200 can be mounted to the camera body 100, and forms anoptical image of a subject. More specifically, the lens unit 200 has anoptical system L, a driver 215, the lens mount 250, an aperture unit260, the lens controller 240, and a lens barrel 290.

The optical system L has a zoom lens group 210 for changing the focallength of the optical system L, an OIS (optical image stabilizer) lensgroup 220 for reducing blurring of the subject image formed by theoptical system L with respect to the CMOS image sensor 110, and a focuslens group 230 for changing the focal state of the subject image formedon the CMOS image sensor 110 by the optical system L.

The aperture unit 260 is a light quantity adjusting member that adjuststhe quantity of light transmitted by the optical system. Morespecifically, the aperture unit 260 has aperture vanes (not shown) thatcan block part of the light rays transmitted by the optical system L,and an aperture driver (not shown) that drives the aperture vanes.

The lens controller 240 controls the entire lens unit 200 on the basisof control signals sent from the camera controller 140. Morespecifically, the lens controller 240 sends and receives signals to andfrom the camera controller 140 via the lens mount 250 and the body mount150. The lens controller 240 receives position information about theoptical system L detected by a detector included in the driver 215, andsends this information to the camera controller 140. The cameracontroller 140 processes the received position information and sends acontrol signal to the lens controller 240. The lens controller 240receives the control signal issued by the camera controller 140, andtransmits the control signal to the driver 215. The driver 215 adjuststhe position of the zoom lens 210, the OS lens 220, and the focus lens230 on the basis of the control signal. Also, the camera controller 140instructs the aperture unit 260 to operate on the basis of the amount oflight received by the CMOS image sensor 110, whether moving imagephotography or still photography is being performed, whether or not anaperture value has been preferentially set with the controls, or othersuch information. At this point the lens controller 240 relays theinstruction from the camera controller 140 to the aperture unit 260. Thelens controller 240 also uses a DRAM 241 as a working memory duringcontrol. Also, a flash memory 242 stores programs and parameters used incontrol by the lens controller 240.

The lens barrel 290 mainly houses in its interior the optical system,the lens controller 240, the lens mount 250, and the aperture unit 260.A zoom ring 213, a focus ring 234, and an OIS switch 224 are provided onthe outside of the lens barrel 290.

The zoom ring 213 is a cylindrical member that is able to rotate aroundthe outer peripheral face of the lens barrel 290. The zoom ring 213 isan example of a control used to adjust the focal length.

The focus ring 234 is a cylindrical member that is able to rotate aroundthe outer peripheral face of the lens barrel 290. The focus ring 234 isan example of a control used to adjust the focal state of a subjectimage formed on the CMOS image sensor 110 by the optical system.

The OIS switch 224 is an example of a control used to adjust the OIS.The OIS lens 220 does not operate when the OIS switch 224 is off. TheOIS lens 220 is able to operate when the OIS switch 224 is on.

1-4: Features of Structure

The camera body 100 does not have a mirror box device, and differs inthis respect from a single lens reflex camera. The features of thestructure of the camera body 100 will now be described in greater detailthrough reference to the drawings.

FIG. 6A is a simplified cross section of a single lens reflex camera,and FIG. 6B is a simplified cross section of the digital camera 1 ofthis embodiment. The body mount 150, the shutter unit 190, the diaphragm115, the diaphragm support 116, the heat radiating plate 195, thethermal conductor 196, and other members are not shown in FIG. 6B.

With the single lens reflex camera 800 shown in FIG. 6A, a mirror boxdevice is disposed on the front face of a CMOS image sensor 810, thatis, on the lens unit 802 of the CMOS image sensor 810. The mirror boxdevice includes a reflecting mirror 803 and a pentaprism 804. From frontto back, a CMOS circuit board 813 and a main circuit board 842 thatincludes a camera controller 840 are disposed on the rear face of theCMOS image sensor 810 (that is, on the opposite side from the lens unit802 with respect to the CMOS image sensor 110). Also, a metal main frame854 is disposed along the front face and lower face in the interior of acamera body 801 to ensure the strength of the camera body 801.

With the single lens reflex camera 800, an optical image of a subjectformed by the lens unit 802 is guided by the reflecting mirror 803 andthe pentaprism 804 included in the mirror box device to the CMOS imagesensor 810 or an optical viewfinder 805. Thus, space for disposing themovable reflecting mirror 803 and the pentaprism 804, and space for theoptical path from the reflecting mirror 803 to the optical viewfinder805 must be provided inside the camera body 801, which is not suited tomaking the camera body 801 smaller.

On the other hand, because there is much space inside the camera body801, and the surface of the camera body 801 is large, or because it iseasy to ensure enough distance between the CMOS image sensor 810 and themain circuit board 842, and other such reasons, with the single lensreflex camera 800 heat generated from the CMOS image sensor 810 is moreeasily dispersed, and heat generated from the CMOS image sensor 810 isless likely to be transferred to the main circuit board 842.

In contrast, as shown in FIG. 6B, with the digital camera 1 of thisembodiment, since no mirror box device is disposed on the front side ofthe CMOS image sensor 110, the flange back can be shorter and the camerabody 100 can be made smaller. Furthermore, because of the short flangeback, there is greater latitude in designing the optical system L, andthe lens unit 200 can be reduced in size. Therefore, eliminating themirror box device allows the digital camera 1 to be made smaller.

Meanwhile, since there is no need for space to provide a mirror boxdevice as with the single lens reflex camera 800, the camera body 100can be made smaller, but because there is less space in which to housethe CMOS image sensor 110, the main circuit board 142, and other suchelectronic parts, these electronic parts are mounted more closelytogether, and as a result, the heat generation density tends to behigher than with the single lens reflex camera 800.

Furthermore, higher image quality and the capture of moving images driveup the power consumption of the CMOS image sensor 110 and the cameracontroller 140, which results in more heat being generated by the CMOSimage sensor 110 and the camera controller 140.

For instance, since the digital camera 1 makes use of the CMOS imagesensor 110 that can capture high-resolution moving images, the powerconsumption is roughly three times higher than that with a CMOS imagesensor that does not capture high-resolution moving images (such as theCMOS image sensor 810 of the single lens reflex camera 800) (an increasefrom 0.4 W to 1.2 W). As a result, the CMOS image sensor 110 generatesmore heat than a CMOS image sensor that does not capture high-resolutionmoving images.

As discussed above, with the digital camera 1, more heat is generatedthan with the single lens reflex camera 800, and the smaller size of thecamera body 100 reduces volume, so the heat generation density withinthe camera body 100 is greater than with the camera body 801.

Therefore, in some cases the temperature of the CMOS image sensor 110may rise, or heat from the CMOS image sensor 110 may raise thetemperature of other electronic parts (such as the main circuit board142), so there is the possibility that the electronic parts of thecamera body 100 will be damaged.

Also, as size is reduced, the heat generated by the CMOS image sensor110 is more readily transferred to the main frame 154, so heat is alsoreadily transferred through the main frame 154 to the body mount 150 andthe housing 101. As a result, it is possible that the camera body 100may feel hot to the user's touch.

1-5: Heat Radiating Structure

As described above, with the digital camera 1, which has higherperformance and a smaller size, heat generated by the CMOS image sensor110 must be efficiently dispersed.

In view of this, as mentioned above, the heat radiating member 198 isprovided with the camera body 100. More specifically, as shown in FIG.4, the metal heat radiating plate 195 is disposed between the CMOS imagesensor 110 and the main circuit board 142 (more precisely, between themain circuit board 142 and the CMOS circuit board 113 on the rear faceof the CMOS image sensor 110). Any heat transferred from the CMOS imagesensor 110 to the main circuit board 142 is absorbed by the heatradiating plate 195, so less of the heat from the CMOS image sensor 110can be transferred to the main circuit board 142.

Also, since the thermal conductor 196 extends from the heat radiatingplate 195 on the opposite side from the main circuit board 142, heattransferred to the heat radiating plate 195 is released to thesurroundings via the thermal conductor 196 (the first to fourth plates196 a to 196 d). As a result, the heat radiating efficiency of the heatradiating member 198 is higher, and an increase in the temperature ofthe CMOS image sensor 110 can be suppressed.

With a camera body 900 of the reference example shown in FIG. 1, unlikein this embodiment, a heat radiating plate 995 that corresponds to theheat radiating plate 195 is connected to the main frame 154, and thethermal conductor 196 is provided on the upper side, lower side, andboth lateral sides of the CMOS image sensor 110.

However, again with this camera body 900, since heat transferred fromthe CMOS image sensor 110 to the main circuit board 142 is absorbed bythe heat radiating plate 995, at least an increase in the temperature ofthe main circuit board 142 can be suppressed.

Meanwhile, with the camera body 900 shown in FIG. 11, since metal isused to ensure adequate strength of the main frame 154 and the tripodattachment unit 155, the thermal conductivity is higher than with aplastic, and heat is conducted from the heat radiating plate 995 throughthe main frame 154 to the tripod attachment unit 155. The temperaturearound the tripod attachment unit 155 on the bottom face 101 a of thecamera body 100 and the tripod attachment unit 155 then rises.Furthermore, since the main frame 154 is connected to the body mount150, if heat generated by the CMOS image sensor 110 is transferred tothe main frame 154, the temperature of the body mount 150 will rise. Itis possible that the bottom face 101 a of the camera body 100 or thetripod attachment unit 155 will feel hot if touched by the user, as willthe body mount 150 (and particularly the body mount ring 151) duringmounting or removal of the lens unit 200.

With this embodiment, however, since heat generated by the CMOS imagesensor 110 tends not to be transferred by the heat radiating member 198to the main frame 154, the body mount 150, the tripod attachment unit155, and other such members will not feel hot if touched by the user,nor will the body mount 150 during mounting or removal of the lens unit200.

More specifically, the optical low-pass filter 114, the diaphragmsupport 116, the shutter unit 190, and the body mount contact support152 are disposed as intermediate parts between the CMOS image sensor 110and the main frame 154, and these intermediate parts are fixed to eachother. Accordingly, a thermal conduction path is formed between the CMOSimage sensor 110 and the main frame 154, and any heat generated by theCMOS image sensor 110 will be transferred through this thermalconduction path to the main frame 154.

However, since the heat radiating member 198 is connected to thediaphragm support 116 disposed along the thermal conduction path, partof the heat transferred from the CMOS image sensor 110 to the main frame154 is released to the surroundings via the diaphragm support 116 andthe heat radiating member 198 (and more precisely, the thermal conductor196). As a result, the amount of heat transferred from the CMOS imagesensor 110 to the main frame 154 can be reduced, and an increase in thetemperature of the body mount 150, the housing 101, and other suchmembers can be suppressed.

Also, since the thermal conductor 196 extends from the diaphragm support116 to the opposite side from the body mount 150, any heat transferredform the diaphragm support 116 to the thermal conductor 196 is releasedfarther away from the body mount 150. Therefore, heat released from thediaphragm support 116 through the heat radiating member 198 is hinderedfrom being transferred to the main frame 154 and the body mount 150 byconvection, for example, and this further suppresses an increase in thetemperature of the main frame 154 and the body mount 150.

Also, it is preferable for the diaphragm support 116 to be made from ametal with relatively high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum orcopper. If the diaphragm support 116 is made of metal, then it canfunction as part of the heat radiating member 198, so the heat radiatingefficiency of the heat radiating member 198 can be improved.

Further, a plastic or other such material with low thermal conductivityis used for the body mount contact support 152. Consequently, heat isless likely to be transferred from the diaphragm support 116, throughthe shutter unit 190 and the body mount contact support 152, to themetal main frame 154 and the metal body mount ring 151. An increase inthe temperature of the tripod attachment unit 155 and the body mountring 151 can also be suppressed. The tripod attachment unit 155 and thebody mount ring 151 are made of metal, but since a high-temperaturemetal feels hotter to the touch than a plastic, it is particularlyeffective to use a material with low thermal conductivity for the bodymount contact support 152.

Also, since it is possible that the temperature of the main frame 154will be higher than that of the body mount ring 151 or the tripodattachment unit 155, the main frame 154 is not exposed even when thelens unit 200 has been removed, and cannot be touched from the outsideof the camera body 100. More specifically, the main frame 154 is coveredby the body mount contact support 152, the housing 101, and thediaphragm 115. Specifically, the main frame 154 is housed in the spaceformed by the body mount contact support 152, the housing 101, and thediaphragm 115. This prevents the main frame 154 from feeling hot to theuser's touch.

1-6: Example of Simulation Results

FIGS. 8A to 8F show the results of calculating, by thermal simulation,the temperature distribution of the camera body 900 in the referenceexample shown in FIG. 11 and the camera body 100 of the aboveembodiment.

FIG. 8A shows the temperature distribution of the CMOS image sensor 110of the camera body 100 in the first embodiment. FIG. 8B shows thetemperature distribution of the CMOS image sensor 110 of the camera body900 in the reference example. FIG. 8C shows the temperature distributionof the main circuit board 142 of the camera body 100 in the firstembodiment. FIG. 8D shows the temperature distribution of the maincircuit board 142 of the camera body 900 in the reference example. FIG.8E shows the temperature distribution of the bottom face 101 a of thecamera body 100 in the first embodiment. FIG. 8F shows the temperaturedistribution of the bottom face 901 a of the camera body 900 in thereference example. In FIGS. 8A to 8F, temperature distribution isindicated by the darkness of the shading, with white portions indicatinga region of high temperature, and black portions a region of lowtemperature.

As shown in FIGS. 8A to 8F, a comparison of the heat radiating structurein this embodiment with the heat radiating structure in the referenceexample reveals that the temperature of the CMOS image sensor 110 andthe main circuit board 142 is lower in this embodiment. The reason forthis seems to be that the heat of the CMOS image sensor 110 isefficiently absorbed by the heat radiating plate 195 and the thermalconductor 196, and that heat is efficiently released from the CMOS imagesensor 110 via the thermal conductor 196 extending to the front side.

It can also be seen that the temperature of the bottom face 101 a of thecamera body 100 is lower in this embodiment. The likely reason is thatpart of the heat transferred from the CMOS image sensor 110 to the mainframe 154 is radiated to the outside of the thermal conduction path bythe heat radiating member 198.

These results tell us that the heat radiating structure of thisembodiment is effective at suppressing an increase in the temperature ofthe main circuit board 142, and suppressing an increase in thetemperature of the bottom face 101 a of the camera body 100.

1-7: Features of First Embodiment

The features of the digital camera 1 described above will now becompiled.

(1) With this camera body 100, since the heat radiating plate 195 of theheat radiating member 198 is disposed between the CMOS image sensor 110and the main circuit board 142, the amount of heat transferred from theCMOS image sensor 110 to the main circuit board 142 can be reduced bythe heat radiating plate 195. This suppresses an increase in thetemperature of the main circuit board 142, and prevents the main circuitboard 142 from being damaged by heat.

Also, since the thermal conductor 196 connected to the heat radiatingplate 195 extends to the opposite side from the main circuit board 142,heat absorbed by the heat radiating plate 195 is released far away fromthe main circuit board 142 via the thermal conductor 196. Therefore,heat released from the heat radiating plate 195 via the thermalconductor 196 is hindered from being transferred to the main circuitboard 142 by convection, for example, and this further suppresses anincrease in the temperature of the main circuit board 142.

Furthermore, since the thermal conductor 196 is connected to thediaphragm support 116 disposed on the opposite side of the CMOS imagesensor 110 from the main circuit board 142, if the temperature of thediaphragm support 116 is low, heat absorbed by the heat radiating plate195 can be transferred to the diaphragm support 116, and this suppressesthe convection of heat to the surroundings of the heat radiating plate195.

(2) Heat generated by the CMOS image sensor 110 is transferred throughthe diaphragm support 116 to the main frame 154, but since the metalheat radiating member 198 is connected to the diaphragm support 116here, part of the heat transferred to the diaphragm support 116 isradiated through the heat radiating member 198. As a result, the amountof heat transferred from the CMOS image sensor 110 to the main frame isreduced, and this suppresses an increase in the temperature of the mainframe 154. That is, the increase in the temperature of the body mount150 (or the tripod attachment unit 155) can be reduced.

Also, since the thermal conductor 196 of the heat radiating member 198extends from the diaphragm support 116 to the opposite side from thebody mount 150, heat transferred from the diaphragm support 116 to theheat radiating member 198 is released far away from the body mount 150.Therefore, heat released from the diaphragm support 116 via the heatradiating member 198 is hindered from being transferred to the bodymount 150 by convection, for example, and this further suppresses anincrease in the temperature of the body mount 150.

(3) Since the thermal conductor 196 is disposed so as to be opposite thegap with the CMOS image sensor 110 in a direction along the lightreceiving face 110 a, the heat transferred to the diaphragm support 116is released through the thermal conductor 196 into a relatively largespace around the CMOS image sensor 110. Since the heat surrounding theCMOS image sensor 110 thus can be efficiently radiated via the heatradiating member 198, an increase in the temperature of the CMOS imagesensor 110 can be suppressed.

(4) The air around the first plate 196 a is warmed by the heat releasedfrom the first plate 196 a, and this warmed air rises. In other words,the heat released from the first plate 196 a readily spreads into thespace above the first plate 196 a by convection. Similarly, the heatreleased from the second plate 196 b and the third plate 196 c readilyspreads into the space above the second plate 196 b and the third plate196 c.

With this camera body 100, when the digital camera 1 is in its landscapeorientation, the first plate 196 a is disposed above the imagingelement, and the second plate 196 b and the third plate 196 c aredisposed to the sides of the CMOS image sensor 110. Therefore, with thiscamera body 100, in landscape orientation, which is used relativelyoften, at least the heat released from the first plate 196 a, the secondplate 196 b, and the third plate 196 c does not readily transfer to theCMOS image sensor 110. This allows heat generated by the CMOS imagesensor 110 to be efficiently radiated away.

(5) Since the body mount contact support 152, which is disposed alongthe thermal conduction path from the CMOS image sensor 110 to the mainframe 154, is made of a material with lower thermal conductivity thanthe main frame 154, the body mount contact support 152 slows thetransfer of heat from the CMOS image sensor 110 to the main frame 154.As a result, the amount of heat transferred to the main frame 154 isreduced, and an increase in the temperature of the main frame 154 andthe body mount 150 can be suppressed.

Also, since the body mount contact support 152, which is made of amaterial with low thermal conductivity, is disposed closer to the mainframe 154 on the thermal conduction path than the portion connected tothe heat radiating member 198, the amount of heat transferred from theCMOS image sensor 110 to the main frame 154 is reduced by the body mountcontact support 152, and the amount of heat transferred from the CMOSimage sensor 110 to the heat radiating member 198 increases.Consequently, heat radiation by the heat radiating member 198 can beimproved, and an increase in the temperature of the main frame 154 andthe body mount 150 can be further suppressed.

(6) The main frame 154 is housed inside the space formed by the bodymount 150 and the housing 101. More precisely, the main frame 154 ishoused in the space formed by the body mount 150, the housing 101, andthe diaphragm 115. Accordingly, the main frame 154, whose temperaturecan be relatively high, is not exposed on the outside, and the user willnot directly touch the main frame 154.

Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment above, the heat radiating member 198 isconnected to the diaphragm support 116, but the heat radiating member198 may instead be connected to another member. Here, the descriptionwill focus on differences from the camera body 100 of the firstembodiment, and portions that are shared will not be described again.Furthermore, members having substantially the same function as in thefirst embodiment will be numbered the same, and will not be describedagain in detail.

FIG. 9 is a simplified cross section of a camera body 400 according tothe second embodiment. The camera body 400 differs from the camera body100 in the first embodiment only in that the thermal conductor 196 ofthe heat radiating member 198 is connected not to the diaphragm support116, but to the shutter unit 190, and the rest of the configuration issubstantially the same as that of the camera body 100.

The thermal conductor 196 has a first plate 196 a disposed above theCMOS image sensor 110, a second plate 196 b and a third plate 196 cdisposed to the sides of the CMOS image sensor 110, and a fourth plate196 d disposed below the CMOS image sensor 110.

Also, unlike in the first embodiment, a diaphragm support 416 isdisposed within the heat radiating member 198, and is surrounded above,below, and on both sides by the thermal conductor 196. More precisely,the first to fourth plates 196 a to 196 d are disposed above, on bothsides, and below the diaphragm support 416.

The heat radiating plate 195 is disposed between the CMOS image sensor110 and the main circuit board 142, and the CMOS image sensor 110 issupported by the heat radiating member 198 in five directions, namely,above, below, on both sides, and behind, excluding on the subject side,that is, from the front.

Here again, since heat transferred from the CMOS image sensor 110 to themain circuit board 142 is absorbed by the heat radiating plate 195, anincrease in the temperature of the main circuit board 142 can besuppressed.

Also, since the heat radiating member 198 is connected to the shutterunit 190, which is disposed on the thermal conduction path from the CMOSimage sensor 110 to the main frame 154, part of the heat transferredfrom the CMOS image sensor 110 to the main frame 154 is released via thethermal conductor 196. Consequently, an increase in the temperature ofthe main frame 154 can be suppressed.

Third Embodiment

The embodiment described below is also conceivable. The description willfocus on differences from the camera body 100 of the first embodiment,and portions that are shared will not be described again. Furthermore,members having substantially the same function as in the firstembodiment will be numbered the same, and will not be described again indetail.

FIG. 10 is a simplified cross section of a camera body 500 according tothe third embodiment. The camera body 500 differs from the camera body100 in the first embodiment only in that the thermal conductor 196 ofthe heat radiating member 198 is connected not to the diaphragm support116, but to the body mount contact support 152, and the rest of theconfiguration is substantially the same as that of the camera body 100.

The thermal conductor 196 has a first plate 196 a disposed above theCMOS image sensor 110, a second plate 196 b and a third plate 196 cdisposed to the sides of the CMOS image sensor 110, and a fourth plate196 d disposed below the CMOS image sensor 110.

Also, unlike in the first embodiment, a diaphragm support 416 and ashutter unit 190 are disposed within the heat radiating member 198, andare surrounded above, below, and on both sides by the thermal conductor196. More precisely, the first to fourth plates 196 a to 196 d aredisposed above, on both sides, and below the diaphragm support 416 andthe shutter unit 190.

Also, the heat radiating plate 195 is disposed between the CMOS imagesensor 110 and the main circuit board 142, and the CMOS image sensor 110is surrounded by the heat radiating member 198 in five directions,namely, above, below, on both sides, and behind, excluding on thesubject side, that is, from the front.

Here again, since heat transferred from the CMOS image sensor 110 to themain circuit board 142 is absorbed by the heat radiating plate 195, anincrease in the temperature of the main circuit board 142 can besuppressed.

Also, since the heat radiating member 198 is connected to the body mountcontact support 152, which is disposed on the thermal conduction pathfrom the CMOS image sensor 110 to the main frame 154, part of the heattransferred from the CMOS image sensor 110 to the main frame 154 isreleased via the thermal conductor 196. Consequently, an increase in thetemperature of the main frame 154 can be suppressed.

Other Embodiments

Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those givenabove, and various modifications and alterations are possible withoutdeparting from the gist of the present invention.

(A)

In the first to third embodiments above, the heat radiating member 198had the heat radiating plate 195, but if we only consider the effect ofreducing the amount of heat transferred from the CMOS image sensor 110to the main frame 154, the heat radiating member 198 need not have theheat radiating plate 195, and may have only the thermal conductor 196instead.

Conversely, if we only consider the effect of reducing the increase intemperature of the main circuit board 142, the heat radiating member 198need not have the thermal conductor 196, and may have only the heatradiating plate 195 instead. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, the heatradiating plate 195 may have a configuration in which the heat radiatingplate 195 is fixed to the main frame 154, for example.

Furthermore, the heat radiating plate 195 and the thermal conductor 196are not limited to being integrally molded, and may instead be separate.

(B)

In the first to third embodiments above, the thermal conductor 196 hadthe first plate 196 a, the second plate 196 b, the third plate 196 c,and the fourth plate 196 d, but the thermal conductor 196 may have oneor more of these, rather than all four.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment above, the first plate 196 a, thesecond plate 196 b, the third plate 196 c, and the fourth plate 196 dwere all connected to the diaphragm support 116, but there is no needfor all of the plates that make up the thermal conductor 196 to beconnected to an intermediate part. For instance, one or some of thefirst to fourth plates 196 a to 196 d may be connected to the diaphragmsupport 116. Furthermore, one or some of the first to fourth plates 19to 196 d may be connected to the diaphragm support 116, and other platesconnected to another part or other parts. The same applies to the secondand third embodiments.

If we consider the support of the heat radiating plate 195, it ispreferable for the heat radiating plate 195 to be fixed by three or moreplates to a member on the body mount 150 side of the CMOS image sensor110.

(C)

Also, the thermal conductor 196 is disposed above, below, and on bothsides of the CMOS image sensor 110, but the heat radiating member 198does not necessarily need to have all of the first plate 196 a, thesecond plate 196 b, the third plate 196 c, and the fourth plate 196 d,and one or more may be selected and connected to the diaphragm support116, or the shutter unit 190, or the body mount contact support 152. Forexample, there may be (i) one plate consisting of the first plate 196 a,(ii) two plates consisting of the second plate 196 b and the third plate196 c, or (iii) three plates consisting of the first plate 196 a, thesecond plate 196 b, and the third plate 196 c.

Convection by the air that surrounds the plates and has been warmed bythe plates tends to spread into the space above the plates. Therefore,even if one of the above-mentioned (i), (ii), and (iii) is selected,heat released by the plates will tend not to spread into the CMOS imagesensor 110 in landscape orientation, so heat around the CMOS imagesensor 110 can be efficiently radiated.

In the case of (ii), in landscape orientation, the dispersal of heatinto the space above by convection of air warmed by the CMOS imagesensor 110 is not hindered by the first plate 196 a, so this layout isthought to be afford better heat dispersal efficiency than (i) or (iii).However, to make it easier to position the heat radiating plate 195inside the camera body 100, it is preferable to connect and fix three ormore plates as in (iii).

(D)

The shutter unit 190 is provided in the first and third embodimentsabove, but the shutter unit 190 need not be provided, and the sameshutter function as the shutter unit 190 may be realized by drivecontrol of the CMOS image sensor 110. More specifically, the CMOS imagesensor 110 successively resets the charge of each pixel from the lineabove. The charges of the pixels are read out successively from the lineabove so as to track the downward movement of the line resettingoperation. Doing this allows each pixel to be exposed within the periodof time from the point of resetting until the charge is read, and allowsimage data to be formed depending on the acquired charges.

(E)

In the first to third embodiments above, the camera monitor 120 and theEVF 180 are both provided, but the configuration may instead be suchthat only one of these is provided.

(F)

In addition to the CMOS image sensor 110, the imaging element may be aCCD image sensor.

(G)

In the above embodiments, the main circuit board 142 including thecamera controller 140 is disposed on the outside of the heat radiatingmember 198. This is because the CMOS image sensor 110 consumes arelatively large amount of power, so it is the largest source of heatgeneration, and heat needs to be prevented from being transferred fromthe CMOS image sensor 110 to the main circuit board 142, on which manyparts that are susceptible to the effects of heat (such as circuitparts) are mounted. However, if parts that are susceptible to theeffects of heat are mounted on the CMOS circuit board 113, the heatradiating plate 195 may be disposed between the CMOS image sensor 110and the CMOS circuit board 113.

1. A camera body to which a lens unit configured to form an opticalimage of a subject is mountable, said camera body comprising: a bodymount to which the lens unit is mountable; an imaging element disposedon an opposite side of the body mount where the lens unit is mountable,and configured to convert an optical image of the subject into imagedata; an imaging element circuit board electrically connected to theimaging element and configured to control the imaging element; a maincircuit board disposed on the opposite side of the imaging element fromthe body mount, and including a camera controller; and a metal heatradiating plate disposed between the imaging element and the maincircuit board.
 2. The camera body according to claim 1, furthercomprising a thermal conductor connected to the metal heat radiatingplate and extending to the opposite side from the main circuit board. 3.The camera body according to claim 2, wherein the imaging elementincludes a light receiving face configured to receive light passingthrough the lens unit, and the thermal conductor is disposed oppositethe imaging element by a gap in a direction along the light receivingface.
 4. The camera body according to claim 3, wherein the thermalconductor includes an upper plate disposed above the imaging elementwhen the camera body is in a landscape orientation.
 5. The camera bodyaccording to claim 3, wherein the thermal conductor includes a firstside plate disposed beside the imaging element when the camera body isin a landscape orientation.
 6. The camera body according to claim 5,wherein the thermal conductor includes a second side plate disposedbeside the imaging element opposite to the first side plate when thecamera body is in the landscape orientation.
 7. The camera bodyaccording to claim 3, wherein the thermal conductor includes a lowerplate disposed below the imaging element when the camera body is in alandscape orientation.
 8. The camera body according to claim 7, furthercomprising an intermediate part connected to the thermal conductor anddisposed more on the body mount side than the imaging element.
 9. Thecamera body according to claim 8, wherein the intermediate part includesa diaphragm disposed between the body mount and the imaging element andconfigured to generate vibrations, and a diaphragm support supported bythe body mount and supporting the diaphragm, and the thermal conductoris connected to the diaphragm support.
 10. The camera body according toclaim 8, wherein the intermediate part includes a shutter disposedbetween the body mount and the imaging element, and the thermalconductor is connected to the shutter.
 11. The camera body according toclaim 8, further comprising a metal main frame supporting the bodymount, wherein the intermediate part includes a body mount contactsupport fixed to the main frame and supporting the body mount withrespect to the main frame.
 12. The camera body according to claim 11,wherein the imaging element circuit board is disposed between theimaging element and the main circuit board.
 13. The camera bodyaccording to claim 12, wherein the imaging element circuit board isdisposed between the imaging element and the metal heat radiating plate.14. The camera body according to claim 2, further comprising anintermediate part connected to the thermal conductor and disposed moreon the body mount side than the imaging element.
 15. The camera bodyaccording to claim 14, wherein the intermediate part includes adiaphragm disposed between the body mount and the imaging element andconfigured to generate vibrations, and a diaphragm support supported bythe body mount and supporting the diaphragm, and the thermal conductoris connected to the diaphragm support.
 16. The camera body according toclaim 14, wherein the intermediate part includes a shutter disposedbetween the body mount and the imaging element, and the thermalconductor is connected to the shutter.
 17. The camera body according toclaim 14, further comprising a metal main frame supporting the bodymount, wherein the intermediate part includes a body mount contactsupport fixed to the metal main frame and supporting the body mount withrespect to the metal main frame.
 18. The camera body according to claim17, wherein the imaging element circuit board is disposed between theimaging element and the main circuit board.
 19. The camera bodyaccording to claim 18, wherein the imaging element circuit board isdisposed between the imaging element and the metal heat radiating plate.20. An imaging device for acquiring an image of a subject, said imagingdevice comprising: a lens unit configured to form an optical image ofthe subject; and a camera body to which the lens unit is mountable, thecamera body including: a body mount to which the lens unit is mountable;an imaging element disposed on an opposite side of the body mount wherethe lens unit is mountable, and configured to convert an optical imageof the subject into image data; an imaging element circuit boardelectrically connected to the imaging element and configured to controlthe imaging element; a main circuit board disposed on the opposite sideof the imaging element from the body mount, and including a cameracontroller; and a metal heat radiating plate disposed between theimaging element and the main circuit board.